GERMAN FOOD SITUATION

Southland Times, Issue 24163, 27 June 1940, Page 5

GERMAN FOOD SITUATION

Supply Breakdown Expected Later FEEDING STUFFS NOT PLENTIFUL (United Press Assn.—Telegraph Copyright) (Received June 26, 8.50 p.m.) LONDON, June 25. It is authoritatively stated that Germany’s food situation is far more serious than was believed likely at the outbreak of war, when it was generally considered that a supply breakdown could not be expected within two years. A collapse is now thought to be far nearer. Recent reports indicate the possibility of a condition approaching famine in Europe next winter. Germany, especially faces the prospect of a severe shortage of food and feeding stuffs. The severe weather resulted in a heavy killing of stock and frost damaged a large

proportion of the potato stocks. Green vegetables and eggs are very scarce. The inadequacy of spring tilling was accentuated by a shortage of skilled labour and draught animals. Urgently required imports were interrupted by ice in the Baltic and on the Danube and heavy flooding damaged growing crops. Other detrimental factors include bad harvest prospects, disappointing supplies of feeding stuffs from Russia, a worsening labour shortage, scarcity of fertilizer and livestock diseases.

Germany cannot expect much from Scandinavia and .the Low Countries. Denmark and Holland may be self-supporting on a greatly reduced standard of living, but Belgium and Norway will require considerable contributions from Germany, which has lost important channels through which she obtained food and feeding stuffs.

Germany will have sufficient bread grain to maintain the present rations, even if the harvest is very bad. The reserves will be adequate for at least a year, but the feeding stuff position may cause an emergency slaughter of pigs, which account for over 60 per cent, of the meat consumption.